Buddhists pursue meditation as part of the path toward liberation, awakening and Nirvana,[note 3] and includes a variety of meditation techniques, most notably asubha bhavana (“reflections on repulsiveness”);[1] reflection on pratityasamutpada (dependent origination); sati (mindfulness) and anussati (recollections), including anapanasati (breath meditation); dhyana (developing an alert and luminous mind);[2][3][4][5][6] and the Brahma-viharas (loving-kindness and compassion). These techniques aim to develop equanimity and sati (mindfulness); samadhi (concentration) c.q. samatha (tranquility) and vipassanā (insight); and are also said to lead to abhijñā (supramundane powers). These meditation techniques are preceded by and combined with practices which aid this development, such as moral restraint and right effort to develop wholesome states of mind.
All forms of Buddhism – and, by extension Buddhist meditation techniques – have arisen from the Buddha’s insights about the nature of existence, the causes of suffering, the causes of happiness, and guidelines for living a wholesome and constructive life. Buddhist meditation practices have now spread beyond the borders of the countries where they developed organically and are more widely available than ever before.
What do Buddhist do in meditation?
In Theravada Buddhism, one common meditative practice (among many) is focusing on the breath and learning to observe passing thoughts and feelings with detachment [source: BBC]. While meditation is clearly beneficial for reducing stress and calming the body and mind, that’s not the end goal for Buddhists.
What did Buddha say about meditation?
He understood that all things are impermanent and are incapable of providing ultimate satisfaction in themselves. He had become the Buddha, the awakened one. The ultimate goal for a Buddhist is to reach that state of enlightenment, or nirvana, and meditation is a key technique to achieve it.
What are you supposed to think about while meditating?
Lots of people think meditation is about clearing your mind, or stopping all thoughts. … Our brains are thought factories, and we can’t just shut them down. Instead, just try to practice focusing your attention, and practice some more when your mind wanders. Stay with whatever arises.
What is best meditation technique?
A form of mindfulness is involved in most kinds of meditation. Breath awareness encourages practitioners to be aware of their breathing, while progressive relaxation draws attention to areas of tension in the body. Because mindfulness is a theme common to many forms of meditation, it has been extensively studied.